The Angel of the Crows

Fan vad bra! En riktig kanonbok!

I loved this book as I have loved everything else I have read by the author.

I have read all the Sherlock Holmes stories, some of them twice, but that was years ago and I don't remember the details. As a person who is familiar with the source material but not that clearly, this book with its constant riffing on Doyle's work was a lot of fun. I understand that people who remember the details better than I find this book to be more annoying than delightful. I understand that, but do not share their judgment.

2nd Read Jan 31st 2025
Same rating.

I forgot a lot in 1.5 years. I truly enjoyed myself rereading this and discovering some major character reveals that blindsided me for a second time. My sentiments haven't changed, still such a great detailed reimagining of two of my favorite fictional characters. Just like it's a tradition for me to read Addison's Goblin Emperor every 4 years, it might be a new tradition to reread this book every two.

Read Aug 16th 2023
4.25

This should have been titled, “The Crow of the Angels”. What an ending. I enjoyed all the mysteries and didn't mind that they were all easily solved because, like any good serial series, the underlying narrative and relationships pull you along and keep you invested.

Also, I don't particularly care that this was Sherlock wingfic. This was indulgent. And as someone who loves Sherlock and Watson as the characters they are, I truly relish reading any iteration of them that celebrates who they are.

3.5 stars.

This is Sherlock Holmes fanfic, and with fanfic as the baseline for judgment, it's delightful. Crow, the Holmes character, makes so much more sense as a non-human who is puzzled by the basics of human life. Whereas Holmes (at least in my memory of the original) might be offputtingly brusque, Crow has an alien-like curiosity and interest in people. It's a nice change from the anti-hero House-type main characters that are currently popular.

[Spoilers below]


Putting fan-fic aside, I don't think there's enough framing of why Crow is an angel. There's a hint of an overarching narrative that could be neatly tied up, but it never really happens. A lot of questions go unanswered.

What a fascinating book! I don't want to give away too much, but I think it is fair to share that this is based somewhat on the Sherlock Holmes stories, but with a cast of characters that are unique. If you can get your hands on a copy, do so and read it!

This book sounded so interesting to me. Alternate London with Angels, werewolves and vampires. A Sherlock Holmes retelling. That sounds amazing.
Sadly, it wasn't my favorite. Even with all the supernaturals, it wasn't anything special. It was ok, but I wasn't wowed.

I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's Sherlock Holmes, but not as you know it. Some of the names are the same, some are different. Some of the characters with those names are the same, some are different. And the two most important characters are simulataneously the same and different. You will recognise the stories here, but they are all viewed though a distorting lens. It's the canon retold with a huge supernatural element (although, interestingly given ACD's interests, there's no spiritualism). It's not hard to discern the book's origins in fanfic, but it's still fun, if inessential. Katherine Addison's previous novel was the superlative The Goblin Emperor. This is nothing near that in terms of worldbuilding or characterisation, but it is an amusing diversion.